Est. read time – 3-4 minutes
The family of a “lion-hearted” baby boy who died from a rare brain tumour has reflected on the gift of spending a precious summer together, thanks to the support of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
Jacob Foulds died peacefully in his parents’ arms in August 2025, aged just 11 months.
Although he had undergone months of treatment, countless operations and extended hospital stays, EACH made it possible for him to spend his final weeks at home, creating treasured memories with mum Sophie, dad Matt and five-year-old sister Ada.
“It’s hard to find the words to convey our gratitude, and we’ll forever be trying to give back,” said Sophie, who lives near Bury St Edmunds.
“The team helped us navigate our wish to be at home, rather than in hospital.
“The EACH team visited every day, helping us manage Jacob’s medication.
“They held us together and gave us time to enjoy Jacob. It made such a difference and there’s nothing I can say or do that could ever quantify what it meant to us.
“We sat on the sofa for hours just cuddling, away from beeps, injections and all the other things you associate with a hospital. Jacob came into his own and started smiling again. It was amazing.
“It was obviously a very dark, heavy time for us, but the team brought light into our lives and our home.
“Without them stepping in and supporting us, we wouldn’t have had that time and space with Jacob. I can’t see any other way it would have been possible.
“As a family, we’d been forced to spend so much time apart. We’d effectively lived separate lives because we wanted to keep things as normal as possible for Ada. That meant one of us being at home with her, and one of us being at the hospital with Jacob.
“EACH gave us an opportunity to be together as a family – something that hadn’t been possible for so long – and there’s nothing more precious than time.”
Jacob, who had been a content, smiley baby, was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour – a choroid plexus papilloma – at three months old, in December 2024.
It triggered the production of fluid in his head, causing hydrocephalus.
He underwent seven operations to try and alleviate the pressure through external drains and internal shunts, while he also received weekly rounds of chemotherapy to try and slow the growth of the tumour.
Unfortunately, the internalised shunts kept blocking, and his body could not handle the fluid being produced. Meanwhile, the tumour continued to grow.
In February 2025, Jacob had an embolisation procedure and three operations to remove most of the tumour. Each one lasted over 14 hours, placing a massive demand and risk on his little body.
In total, he spent just under four months in hospital, but the hydrocephalus returned, and Jacob died in August 2025 – the day after Ada’s birthday.
Sophie says it is the love, laughter and precious time they shared at home that she remembers most.
“I always knew we were in the best possible hands, because they always had our best interests at heart,” she said.
“It gave us an opportunity to really get to know our little boy, and for him to show us who he was.
“EACH came into our lives late in this journey, but we’ll forever be thankful for the support we received.
“It takes a special kind of person to do what they do, and they always showed such warmth and kindness.
“When the hospice was first mentioned, I never thought of it as ‘the end’.
“I can understand why some people might think that, but to me, it just meant another welcome layer of care and support that would help us as a family.
“It was calming and reassuring to know what was available to us and to understand more about the joy EACH brings into people’s lives. It’s an amazing charity and one that became integral to us.”
Amid the long months of treatment and repeated setbacks, Sophie said it was Jacob’s strength, resilience and returning smile that defined him most.
“He taught us so much as a family, and we’ve changed because of the impact he had on our lives,” she said. “He was incredibly resilient – an absolute fighter.”
EACH continues to be part of Sophie, Matt and Ada’s lives.
They know support is there if needed, and Ada enjoys sibling days at The Treehouse. These special days are specially for youngsters who are bereaved or have a brother or sister receiving care.
“We all enjoyed a summer together that we will never forget, making lots of memories – and all thanks to EACH,” added Sophie.
“Jacob spent his last week surrounded by his family and friends, in a home filled with love.
“EACH gave Jacob the most dedicated, supportive and kindest care possible, and we can’t begin to describe the impact they had on our lives.
“They became part of our family, and we’ll be forever grateful, forever thankful and forever inspired by what they provided.
“We’ll spend our lives trying to give back to them any way we can.”
